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Readers solve puzzle of mystery man on picture

SIR, – I am so pleased to be able to confirm the identity of the mystery man in the William Pit miners picture you graciously published not so long ago (see left).

Named at last: On the left, Henry Shilton, killed in William Pit 1947; in the centre, Fred Blinco (1922-1999) who worked at William Pit, and assisted in rescue/recovery efforts, and on the right, Bill Pickering

This time last year, only William Pickering, who lost his life in the 1947 William Pit disaster, was known to be in the photograph. As a result of printing a follow-up in The Whitehaven News, the mystery of the other miner’s identities are now complete.

We have, on the left, Mr. Henry Shilton, killed in William Pit 1947; centre Mr. Fred Blinco (1922-1999) who worked at William Pit, and assisted in rescue/recovery efforts, and Bill Pickering on the right.

I was very pleased to receive a photograph of Mr Frederick Blinco in his home guard uniform, standing beside his own father Thomas A. Blinco (date not known) so that we too, were able to confirm what his family suspected. Brenda Levens sent me the photo of her father, Frederick Blinco. She wrote: “He was his father’s son alright and a wonderful dad to each and everyone of us.”

We all thank you for allowing the beautiful photograph to be published, and the men identified for their families, friends, and future generations.